First Day of School

Monday was the first day of school for Emma, Hannah, and Esther. They are coming in at the very end of the school year. The New Zealand school year starts in February and ends in December, so it is kind of like the kids are starting school the first week in May at home. Since Emma and Esther have February birthdays, they essentially move up a 1/2 grade. Emma is finishing Year 4, which is like finishing 3rd grade. Esther is finishing Year 1, which is like finishing Kindergarten. Since Hannah's birthday is in August, she is essentially moving back a 1/2 grade. She is finishing Year 2, which is like finishing 1st Grade. This is all very confusing, but I feel like I finally have my head around it. In a nutshell, Hannah is one of the youngest kids in her grade in the States, but in the middle of her class here. Emma and Esther are in the middle of their grades in the States, but one of the youngest in their classes here.

They go to the local Primary School called Kohi. It is a 10 minute walk from where we live, and they are expected to walk to school. They have to wear a special uniform with sandals and a cap. It is mandatory for the kids to wear their cap when they go outside. (The ozone hole is right over New Zealand and as a result, there is a high incidence of skin cancer. Everyone is very consciencious about covering up when they go outside). All the kids bring their lunch to school. There is no cafeteria. Everyone has their lunch outside on the grounds at the same time. Then they go play until lunch is over. When the kids go out to play sports or other things, they all take off their shoes and run around barefoot. I know our girls will love that. Mark said he didn't wear shoes until he was about 12. I'm not sure if he exaggerating or not.

When they got to school, they were each assigned a buddy that took them around and showed them the school. Esther was the first to be dropped off and had a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face when I left her. I peeked in after I left, and she was running around with a smile on her face, playing with her buddy. You wouldn't believe it, but there is another Esther in her class. Hannah and Emma both seemed to do well when I left them. I know they had to be tired, but they all did really well and had a great attitude about everything.